Moving from Knoxville, TN to Rialto, CA
A 2137 mi cross-country move between Knoxville and Rialto is 37h 6m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2137 mi Β· 37h 6m by car Β· TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Rialto runs about 15.0% more expensive overall than Knoxville β RPP 92.569 β 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $369,216 in Knoxville to $588,566 in Rialto, a 15.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 9.9" |
Annual temperature rises 8.7Β°F moving to Rialto per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Rialto sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 3.87 |
Rialto households earn about 15.0% more than Knoxville at the median β $50,994 β $85,521 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rialto MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Rialto average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rialto sees only 9.9 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 67.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Rialto, CA from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 2137 mi and the route typically takes 37h 6m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Rialto more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 15.0% higher than Knoxville (106.442 vs 92.569, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 59.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2137 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN Β· Rialto, CA.